FBI releases video of 2 Boston bombing suspects

CBS/AP/ April 18, 2013, 7:30 PM

FBI releases video of 2 Boston bombing suspects

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Updated 7:30 PM ET

BOSTON The FBI released photos and video Thursday of two suspects in the Boston Marathon bombing and asked for the public's help in identifying them, zeroing in on the two men on surveillance-camera footage less than three days after the deadly attack.

The photos depict one man in a dark baseball cap and the other in a white cap worn backwards. The men were seen walking together in the crowd, and the one in the white hat was seen setting down a backpack at the site of one of the blasts, said Richard DesLauriers, FBI agent in charge in Boston.

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FBI releases first video of Boston bombings suspects

 

"Somebody out there knows these individuals as friends, neighbors, co-workers or family members of the suspects. Though it may be difficult, the nation is counting on those with information to come forward and provide it to us," DesLauriers said.

DesLauriers said both suspects are considered armed and extremely dangerous. "Do not take any action on your own," he warned.

The photos of the suspects can be seen online on fbi.gov. Any tips regarding the suspects can be called into the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI. Sources say investigators have leads on possible names, CBS News correspondent Bob Orr reported, but DesLauriers said the FBI still needs help.

CBS News has learned that FBI is reporting record traffic on its web sites as people go online to view stills and video of the suspected Boston bombers. The FBI is also getting an extremely high number of phone calls and emails.

Authorities believe both baseball caps have logos that are Bridgestone Golf.

Investigators had been focusing on a man wearing a white baseball cap seen dropping off a bag, and then walking away from the site of the second of two deadly explosions. Orr reported that investigators were able to retrace his steps and discovered video of the man with another man carrying a backpack.

Boston marathon bombing suspects video grab

The surveillance footage was released three days after the attack that left three people dead, wounded more than 170, and cast a dark shadow over one of this city's most joyous traditions.

Orr reported that after releasing the video, the FBI is hoping for tips that will identify the suspects. Investigators are using facial recognition software; scouring criminal databases; and trying to to find a match. They have some potential names for these suspects but they are currently unable to match.

As for whether this was an act of either foreign or domestic terrorism, Orr posed that question to a senior federal official, who said right now they think they are leaning-- and he emphasizes they don't have a definite-- that they are leaning more towards a domestic attack.

CBS News correspondent John Miller explained why these two people are believed by the FBI to be possible suspects: "They have other video, including the one Orr referenced, where they believe they actually have on tape one of the suspects in the white baseball cap putting the bomb down in front of the Starbucks at the second location. But reason they selected the pictures we're seeing here is they wanted to find the pictures that didn't have the most sinister activity but the pictures that gave people the best chance of recognizing them."

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Earlier Thursday, President Barack Obama paid a visit under heavy security to offer reassurance to the city and a warning to those responsible for the attack: "We will find you."

Boston Marathon bombing suspects surveillance video grab via FBI

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At an interfaith service honoring the three people killed and more than 180 wounded in Monday's twin blasts, the president sought to inspire a stricken city and comfort an unnerved nation, declaring that Boston "will run again."

"We may be momentarily knocked off our feet," Obama said at the Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Holy Cross. "But we'll pick ourselves up. We'll keep going. We will finish the race."

The crowd applauded as Obama warned those who carried out the attack: "Yes, we will find you. And, yes, you will face justice."

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Boston bombing suspects

 

There was a heavy police presence around the cathedral as residents lined up before dawn, hoping to get one of the roughly 2,000 seats inside. By 9 a.m., they were being turned away.

Among those who couldn't get a ticket was 18-year-old Eli Philips. The college student was a marathon volunteer and was wearing his volunteer jacket. He said he was still shocked that "something that was euphoric went so bad."

Ricky Hall of Cambridge showed up at 8 a.m. but was turned away from the line to get inside that was already stretching down at least two city blocks.

"I came to pay my respects to the victims," he said. He said he was also angry that someone would desecrate the marathon, and he urged maximum punishment for the perpetrators.

Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick said he shared the frustration that those responsible were still at large, but he said solving the case will not "happen by magic."

"It's going to happen by doing the careful work that must be done in a thorough investigation," Patrick said. "That means going through the couple of blocks at the blast scene square inch by square inch and picking up pieces of evidence and following those trails, and that's going to take some time."